Method of making expansible and retractable closures



Sept. 29, 1959 2,906,657

C. E. DAVIDSON METHOD OF MAKING EXPANSIBLE AND RETRACTABLE CLOSURES Filed. June 6, 1958 'I CARL. EDAv/mo/y ATTOENE y;

United States Patent METHOD OF MAKING EXPANSIBLE AND RETRACTABLE CLOSURES Carl E. Davidson, Duvall, Wash.

Application June 6, 1958, Serial No. 740,241

3 Claims. (Cl. 154-116) This invention relates to expansible and retractable closures, and more particularly to a novel method for their manufacture.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a simple, practical, expeditious and comparatively inexpensive method for the manufacture of expansible and retractable closures for openings such as doorways, windows and passages, and which can also be employed as curtains and area partitions.

More particularly, the present invention resides in the provision of a method for the edgewise joining of a succession of thin strips of wood, or the like, for hinging action whereby the assembly of strips can be folded flatly together, thus to retract the closure member, or extended as may be required to span or partially span an opening or space to which the closure is to be applied.

Further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the details of construction and combination of parts employed in the closure member and in the sequence of steps in their assembly, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction and sequence of steps employed in the method of manufacture, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an expansible and retractable closure made in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of a succession of strips of the closure members that are hingedly joined in accordance with the present method.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental view illustrating one way of hanging or suspending the present closure member for use in an opening.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the clamping together of the strips which are to form the closure, as the first step in the present manufacturing operation; this view showing the strips in end view.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show the assembled strips in end view and illustrate successive steps for the completion of the manufacturing operation.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the manner of hinging the edges of adjacent strips by use of glue and a fabric strip.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The present closure member comprises a succession of thin strips of wood of like dimensions, especially in reference to their thickness and length, that are hinged together along their longitudinal edges to open apart alternately in opposite directions after the fashion of an accordion plait. At present, the invention anticipates use of wooden strips that are approximately one and onefourth inches wide, one-tenth inch thick, and in lengths that are suitable for the opening to which the closure is to be applied. However, it is not the intent that the present invention be restricted in respect to the kind of materials used for the making of the strips, or in their dimensions so long as not inconsistent with the objects to be attained.

' The present preferred method of manufacture comprises the following steps: First, the strips selected for the making of the closure are placed face to face and pressed tightly together as, for example, by placing them in a clamp; such an assembly of strips being shown in Fig. 4 wherein 10 designates the individual strips and 11--11 designates the opposite jaws of the holding clamp. The second step of the method comprises planing the top and bottom surfaces of the assembly of strips to smooth evenness. This may be accomplished by use of planes, sanders or by other suitable devices or tools that leave the corresponding edge surfaces of all strips fiat and in the same plane. It is to be understood also that opposite edge surfaces of each strip will be in parallel planes.

The third step in the method of manufacture is the application of a layer of glue or suitable adhesive to the planed surfaces of the assembly of strips; such a layer of glue has been applied to the top surface of the strips in Fig. 5 and it is therein designated by numeral 12. Following the application of glue, sheets of selected fabric 13 are applied to the glue surfaces and pressed into place, and the glue allowed to set. The application of fabric sheets 13 applies to both planed surfaces of the assembly of strips and can be carried out together or successively. The completion of this step will leave the assembly of strips as a unitary structure, as shown in Fig. 6.

The final step in manufacture takes place after the fabric sheets 13 have been securely glued in place. It consists in slitting the fabric sheets and glue layers lengthwise of the assembly of strips along the planes of the engaged surfaces of the strips alternately at opposite sides of the assembly as has been indicated by the showing of slitters 15 in Fig. 7. This operation will leave adjacent strips 10 joined for hinged expansion as illus trated in Fig. 2; the fabric serving in each instance as the hinge element.

In the enlarged cross-sectional showing of parts in Figs. 8, 10a and 10b designate two adjacent wooden strips, 15 is the glue layer and the fabric hinge that joins the strips for hinging action is designated by reference numeral 13h.

It is to be explained further that in lieu of the step of applying glue to the planed surfaces of the assembly of strips to prepare for application thereto of the fabric sheets 13, the fabric itself might be impregnated with or coated with an adhesive of a character suitable for aflixing the fabric to the strips. The invention further anticipates applying the glue or adhesive impregnated fabric under pressure or under heat and pressure, depending upon requirements and desires.

The slitting of the fabric can be done in various ways. For example, a gang of slitting knives 15 might be used and all slits at one side made at the same time, or they may be made individually. Also, it is desirable that the clamp be opened somewhat to permit easy entrance of the slitters 15 between slats as the slits are made. However, this is optional.

The strips 10 may be in various widths and thicknesses, depending on desires or requirements. However, in the same closure, all strips would generally be of equal dimensions.

The above method of manufacture provides a simple, fast and relatively inexpensive manufacturing operation. Closures made according to this method are attractive in appearance, and may be enhanced by selective use of colored fabrics to match or set off the strips.

The hanging of the closure in an opening .can be eflected in various ways, forming no part of the present invention. However, in Fig. 3 I have shown successive strips as equipped with hangers 20 that are adapted to follow a track 21.

What I claim as new is:

l. The method of making an expansible and contractible closure of the character described comprising, temporarily retaining a plurality of closure forming strips of the same length and width evenly in face to face contact, applying and securing a sheet of flexible material to each of the opposite edge surfaces of the assembly of strips while so held, slitting said sheets of material lengthwise along the planes of the engaging faces of the strips, alternately at the opposite edges of the assembly of strips.

2. The method of making an expansible and contractible closure of the character described comprising clamping a succession of closure forming strips of the same length and width, evenly in face to face relationship, applying a coating of adhesive to the opposite edges of the assembly of clamped strips, applying a sheet of flexible fabric to each the opposite edges of the assembled and clamped strips and securing it by said adhesive, and then slitting said sheets of fabric along the planes of the engaging faces of the strips, alternately at opposite edges of the assembly of strips.

3. The method making an expansible and contractable closure of the character described comprising arranging a succession of closure forming strips of wood, of the same length, width and thickness, evenly in face to face relationship and temporarily clamping them in that relationship, applying a coating of adhesive to the opposite edges of the assembly of clamped strips, applying a sheet of flexible fabric to each of the adhesive coated surfaces, releasing the clamping pressure for slight separation of the strips then slitting the fabric sheets lengthwise of the assembly along the planes of the engaged surfaces of the strips, alternately at opposite edges of the assembly and finally removing the assembly of strips from the clamping means.

No references cited 

1. THE METHOD OF MAKING AN EXPANSIBLE AND CONTRACTIBLE CLOSURE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING, TEMPORARILY RETAINING A PLURALITY OF CLOSURE FORMING STRIPS OF THE SAME LENGTH AND WIDTH EVENLY IN FACE TO FACE CONTACT, APPLYING AND SECURING A SHEET OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL TO EACH OF THE OPPOSITE EDGE SURFACE OF THE ASSEMBLY OF STRIPS WHILE SO HELD, SLITTING SAID SHEETS OF MATERIAL LENGTHWISE ALONG THE PLANES OF THE ENGAGING FACES OF THE STRIPS, ALTERNATELY AT THE OPPOSITE EDGES OF THE ASSEMBLY OF STRIPS. 